Firearm accessory holder

ABSTRACT

A firearm accessory holder and method for making it, the accessory holder including a housing, for holding a firearm accessory, and a mounting rail coupled to the housing, the mounting rail being complementary to a bayonet mounting rail on a firearm.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a firearm accessory holder, in general and, in particular, to an accessory holder mountable on a firearm.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is provided according to the present invention an accessory holder including a housing, for holding an accessory, and a mounting rail, complementary to a bayonet mounting rail, integrally formed with or coupled to the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be further understood and appreciated from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an accessory holder constructed and operative in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the accessory holder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the accessory holder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the accessory holder of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the accessory holder of FIG. 1 mounted on a firearm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a firearm accessory holder with a mounting rail that is not a conventional mounting rail. Rather the mounting rail is complementary to the mounting rail on a firearm designed for mounting a bayonet on the firearm. The accessory holder enables mounting other accessories on the firearm, such as a flashlight, laser pointer, etc., in the location designed to hold a bayonet, without requiring the use of a Picatinny rail.

FIGS. 1 to 4 are side, front, top and perspective views, respectively, of an accessory holder 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Accessory holder 1 includes a mounting rail 10 substantially the same as the mounting rail on a conventional bayonet and complementary to a bayonet mounting rail on a firearm. Mounting rail 10 includes locking means 12, such as a track for a locking pin (not shown), for locking accessory holder 1 relative to the complementary rail on the firearm.

Accessory holder 1 further includes a firearm accessory housing 20 adapted and configured to hold one or more of a variety of accessories. Accessory housing 20 may be coupled to, or integrally formed with the mounting rail 10. According to the illustrated embodiment of the invention, accessory housing 20 is a substantially hollow cylindrical member, such as is suitable for holding a flashlight. Accessory holder 1 further includes securing means 30 for securing the accessory inside housing 20. Securing means 30, according to this embodiment of the invention, includes a pair of arm members 32 extending upward from the bottom of housing 20. Each arm member 32 includes a lug 34, having an aperture 36. The two apertures 36 are arranged to be aligned with each other, allowing for coupling of lugs 34 to one another, as by a screw (not shown). When an accessory (not shown) is placed inside housing 20, lugs 34 are urged towards one another, as by rotation of the screw, until arm members 32 apply pressure on the accessory, thereby securing the accessory inside the housing.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the accessory holder of FIGS. 1-4 mounted on an exemplary firearm. As can be seen, accessory holder 1 is mounted on the bayonet rail 7 which is part of or mounted on firearm 5. In this example, a flashlight 8 is mounted inside accessory holder 1. Alternatively, any other suitable accessory, such as a laser pointer, etc. may be mounted inside accessory holder 1.

The accessory holder allows the firearm holder to take advantage of the bayonet rail by mounting other useful accessories on the firearm when the bayonet is not needed, without requiring the addition of an intermediary Picatinny rail.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made. It will further be appreciated that the invention is not limited to what has been described hereinabove merely by way of example. Rather, the invention is limited solely by the claims which follow. 

1. A firearm accessory holder comprising: a housing for holding a firearm accessory; and a mounting rail coupled to said housing, said mounting rail being complementary to a bayonet mounting rail on a firearm.
 2. The firearm accessory holder of claim 1, wherein said mounting rail includes locking means for locking said accessory holder relative to the firearm.
 3. The firearm accessory holder of claim 1, wherein said housing includes securing means for securing an accessory inside said housing.
 4. The firearm accessory holder of claim 1, wherein said housing is integrally formed with said mounting rail.
 5. A method for forming a firearm accessory holder, the method comprising: forming a housing for holding a firearm accessory; and providing a mounting rail on said housing, said mounting rail being complementary to a bayonet mounting rail of a firearm.
 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein said step of providing includes coupling a mounting rail to said housing.
 7. The method according to claim 5, wherein said step of providing includes integrally forming said mounting rail with said housing. 